The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) has announced that neck guards will be made mandatory during “all on-ice activities” from 2024.
This announcement comes after the death of Nottingham Panthers player, Adam Johnson, who died after suffering a severe cut to the neck from the blade of a skate during a match against Sheffield Steelers.
Investigations into the incident have revealed that Johnson was not wearing a neck guard.
The EIHA said: “It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport.
“Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heart-breaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future.”
The EIHA currently has a “strong recommendation” to wear neck guards in place until the end of the year, with supply issues currently preventing their mandatory implementation.
The EIHA says that there is a “distinct likelihood” that mandatory policy on neck guards will be evaluated and carried out on an international level.
Johnson has received heartfelt tributes over the week, as the police investigation into his death continues.